Intro Francois Perera
The Shang dynasty lasted from 1650 B.C. to 1027 B.C. The Chinese civilization took shape during this time. Despite all the changes through history, the ideas of this civilization have survived to the present. The Shang dynasty was a very important one in Chinese history. Their belifs and religion have also become an important part of every Chinese persons life.
Maps Rachel Schiff
external image shang-dynasty-map1.gif
China Maps - Zoom out China Map
China Maps - Zoom out China Map
Yellow River Courses Map GovernmentRachel Schiff
external image shangtang.jpg
Zhou Gong temple
The Shang had a monarchy for a government.
The king had most of the power and enforced the laws.
The Shang Dynasty had one king who was not only resposible for political issues and rights, but also religion issues and rights.
Since the king had many jobs in his civilization, he served as a commander for large armies, and as the cheif priest.
Since the king was responsible for poilitcal and religion rights, the religion in the community had many affects on the choices the king made.
Religion Talia Leppo
The Shang religion focused on approval for ones heritage and animal spirits.
The chief among them were Shang Di, and a mother goddess who brought plants and animals to Earth.
The Chinese believed that Yin and Yang were two delicate balances reflected on the universe.
Yin was associated to Earth, darkness, and female forces.
Yang stood for Heaven,light, and female forces
3,500 year old jade artifact depicts a Shang Dynasty God
Shang Di, the god of the Shang Dynasty
EconomyAdam Samman ArtJulie Solomon
During the Shang dynesty, artists used jade to make carvings. Such were found in Fu Hao's tomb. Since Fu Hao was King Wu Ding's wife during the Shang dynasty and served as a military leader we assume that only the wealthy could afford the carvings.
Instead of jade, the common people had sculpures made of bronze.
Shang dynasty bronze vessel
Jade carving discovered in Shang dynasty tomb
The king commonly forced the poor to work on big government construction projects as city walls.
Archeologists found ceremonial bronze work and oracle bones in houses, tombs, and storage pits.
The designs on the very detailed bronze work show that animal and other nature spirits were a big part of the Shang religion, along with the spirits of family ancestors. The people believed that these spirits could determine the future.
The Shang dynasty lasted from 1650 B.C. to 1027 B.C. The Chinese civilization took shape during this time. Despite all the changes through history, the ideas of this civilization have survived to the present. The Shang dynasty was a very important one in Chinese history. Their belifs and religion have also become an important part of every Chinese persons life.
Maps Rachel Schiff
Yellow River Courses Map
Government Rachel Schiff
- The Shang had a monarchy for a government.
- The king had most of the power and enforced the laws.
- The Shang Dynasty had one king who was not only resposible for political issues and rights, but also religion issues and rights.
- Since the king had many jobs in his civilization, he served as a commander for large armies, and as the cheif priest.
- Since the king was responsible for poilitcal and religion rights, the religion in the community had many affects on the choices the king made.
Religion Talia LeppoEconomy Adam Samman
Art Julie Solomon
- The king commonly forced the poor to work on big government construction projects as city walls.
- Archeologists found ceremonial bronze work and oracle bones in houses, tombs, and storage pits.
- The designs on the very detailed bronze work show that animal and other nature spirits were a big part of the Shang religion, along with the spirits of family ancestors. The people believed that these spirits could determine the future.
Thecnology Adam SammanSociety Francois Perera